Egypt

Abu Simbel Temple, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gro%C3%9Fer_Tempel_(Abu_Simbel)_06.jpg
Author: Olaf Tausch


Egypt is a country on the northeast corner of the African continent. It is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel to the northeast. The country is also bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the East.

The River Nile flows through Egypt, creating a ribbon of habitable land in an otherwise barren desert landscape. Due to the monumental artifacts of its ancient civilisation, Egypt is today one of the biggest tourist destinations of the world. Less spectacular perhaps, but not less important, is Eqypt's medieval heritage represented by the many ancient churches, monasteries and mosques of Coptic Christianity and Islamic origin, that can be found and visited all thorough Egypt.

Tourists visiting the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_of_Hatshepsut_6.jpg
Author: Karelj


With a population approaching 80 million people, Egypt is the most populous country in Africa and the Middle East. With a country of 1,010,000 square kilometers (390,000 sq miles), most of its population is concentrated along the banks of the River Nile, within an area of just 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles). The capital of Egypt, Cairo, has a population of 6.8 million people. It is the largest city in Africa and one of the most densely populated cities of the world.

Egypt is a major tourist destination drawing visitors from around the world to admire the ruins of its ancient civilization. The most famous include the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the city of Luxor, the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Abu Simbel. The city of Cairo, with its Islamic and Coptic Christian heritage, is also becoming more and more well-known to tourists.

View of Cairo, Egypt, at dusk
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Late_evening_in_Cairo.jpg
Author: Frank Schulenburg

When to visit Egypt

Definitely not during summer, June to August, when it is unbearably hot during the day. December to February is the best time to visit, when the temperature becomes more pleasant.

What to wear in Egypt

Lightweight cotton clothes, long sleeves, hat and scarf are all useful items to wear, along with a good pair of sunglasses. Apply sunblock to exposed skin. During evenings, a jacket will keep out the chill. Umbrellas are not necessary, but you can bring a parasol to keep out the sun.

Gebel el-Dist, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BahriyaAgricultureCamels.jpg
Author: Roland Unger

Planning your trip to Egypt

All nationals require at least Tourist Visa to enter Egypt. This can be easily obtained upon arrival, and usually costs around US$15. Citizens of the following countries require a visa before arrival: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China (People's Republic of; except Hong Kong and Macau), Croatia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia (if you intend to stay for more than 15 days), Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and all African countries (except the citizens of Guinea and Libya).

By Plane
Cairo International Airport is the main entry point for most visitors to Egypt. Upon arrival, budget travelers can take the Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus. A trip to downtown Cairo costs 35 LE.

Mersa Matrouh beach, Egypt, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mersa_Matrouh_beach.jpg
Author: المصري الأصيل

Planning your travel within Egypt

Getting around Egypt by train may be a little sticky for foreigners. Due to security measures, foreigners may encounter restrictions against buying train tickets. Even as a budget traveler, you should opt of at least a Second Class ticket on the Egyptian trains.

If you can afford it, taking domestic flight is the fastest way to cover Egypt. The national carrier Egyptair has services to most of the cities in the country. Until 2007, foreigners had to pay a fare which is as much as four times what the locals pay. The system has since been revamped, and now it is standard fare for all.

Banana Reef, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banana_reef_giftun.jpg
Author: vberger

Major Cities of Egypt

Regions of Egypt

World Heritage Sites in Egypt

Egypt ratified the World Heritage Convention on 7 February, 1974. As of August 2010, it has 7 World Heritage Sites, all except one in the cultural category. Egypt also has another 31 sites on the World Heritage Tentative List.

Sites in Egypt on the World Heritage Tentative List

Siwa Sand Dunes, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Siwa_sand_dunes2009a.jpg
Author: tronics

Tourist Destinations and Ancient Sites in Eygpt

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.